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Male touched community and will be missed

On Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, at Immanuel Lutheran Church a memorial/funeral was held honoring Sheriff Thomas A. Male. Tom’s death was painful. He suffered this past year, and no one wanted this to happen. I remember reading Tom’s obituary in the paper, and all he did to help our community become a better place to live and enjoy what we have here. It occurred to me all the experiences I had with Tom growing up in Maple Ridge attending weddings, anniversaries with our parents at the Maple Ridge Hall, playing ball in the Pony League, and Carl Vannater as our manager. Tom served time in the Navy and I with the National Guard, our paths cross again as deputies with the Sheriff’s Office serving under Sheriff John Faber. We patrolled together for a couple of years before Tom served as undersheriff for Sheriff Tony Sobolewski (who passed away recently). Tom served as our sheriff over 17 years, second longest serving sheriff for Alpena County. Those who knew him would say he had a sense of humor, the stories sometimes were lengthy, but there was punch line there. People liked Tom’s sense of humor and personality traits and hard work, it’s what made him successful. As we lay him to rest, let’s remember the good times of his life, how he touched our life in some way. Tom will forever be missed, God bless you Tom, from your neighbors in Maple Ridge including the Kieliszewskis and the Marquardts, the citizens of Alpena County, a teammate of mine, fellow sheriffs and a friend to Sheriff Steven Kieliszewski and Sheriff James Marquardt (retired).

Jim Marquardt

Ossineke

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